Tolsona Mud Volcanoes
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The mud around active vents can be scalding hot just below the surface. Never step directly on or into a mud cone — keep a safe distance and test ground carefully before placing your weight.
This is bear country with limited sightlines in the surrounding forest. Carry bear spray, make noise on the approach, and don't linger if you see fresh tracks or scat near the site.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Stop at the Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center on the Glenn Highway first — rangers can give you current conditions and confirm access, since the trail isn't formally maintained or always obvious.
Wear waterproof boots with ankle support, not trail runners. The approach crosses boggy ground that will swallow low-cut shoes without a second thought.
Bring a macro lens or your phone's close-up mode — the textures of the mud cones, with their cracked surfaces and slow-motion eruptions, photograph far better in tight detail than wide shots.
